Sport
“a good test of how Irish culture is changing…”
In the Irish Times, Fintan O’Toole considers a recent discussion document from the GAA’s director general, Páraic Duffy – on “GAA amateur status and payment to team managers” [pdf file]. From the Irish Times article The GAA is arguably closer than any other body to being, for both good and ill, the archetypal Irish organisation. [...] more »
Six Nations – Weekend 3
It’s time to start building a fortress. From the Irish Times: WHEN IRELAND first returned to Lansdowne Road in the autumn of 2010, Brian O’Driscoll spoke for all when declaring Ireland’s need to make the Aviva a fortress. Alas, not helped by the IRFU’s ticketing fiasco, as fortresses go it’s been more akin to the [...] more »
Six Nations: Paris in the Spring – A day for heroes…or a cold night in hell?
Well, late winter really but that ain’t quite got it..from the Irish Times – it’s minus nine degrees: At least les bleus won’t be playing with the sun on their backs in springtime. Otherwise, this one doesn’t look too promising. Not only do France have a hex on Ireland like no one else, nowhere does [...] more »
Six Nations – wide open.
This weekend sees the start of the most unpredictable Six Nations for a while. (There’s still time to make your predictions here). Are those Polish freezers still working for Wales? (BBC) Keith Earls has some pretty big boots to fill….(Belfast Telegraph) If you were Mr Lancaster would you like to start things anew at a freezing [...] more »
McGuinness wants to support Northern Irish football team?
Erm, don’t tell Squinter [aye, like he didn't know already - ed], but Martin McGuinness is contemplating a reciprocation the First Minister’s visit to watch the McKenna Cup final last weekend… Martin McGuinness has revealed he would cheer on the Northern Ireland football team and hopes to get the chance on a visit to Windsor [...] more »
Six Nations 2012 Prediction Contest
Ok – it’s that time of the year. Same rules as usual which are: 1 point for a correct home win, 3 points for a correct away win, 7 points for a correct draw. This year we need the top try scorer. 3 points if it’s one bloke, 2 if it’s joint, 1 if it’s [...] more »
2012 Prediction Contest
OK – Ten questions – predictions any time this year please – answers this time next year: i) Who will be the Republican nomination for US President? ii) Who will be the leader of the UK Labour Party this time next year? iii) Who will be the leader of Sinn Féin this time next year? [...] more »
Christmas morning routines – run, church, sawing, lunch – in Portrush!
As you sleepily wander around the house in your pyjamas on Christmas morning, spare a thought for 28 year old Olympic single sculling hopeful (and world silver and bronze medallist) Alan Campbell who’ll be enjoying a rather more energetic Christmas. Friday’s Guardian explains his routine: I get up pretty early, usually about 6.30am. I’ll have [...] more »
The Decade of BIG Dates ( and little ones too )
Not the romantic kind, nor the edible one’s but anniversaries of significant events. Many are looking forwards to the years between 2012 and 2022 to commerate or celebrate various past events, others are equally dreading them, in particular the, 1916-2016 Easter Rising & Somme Commerations come to mind. But these are not the only significant dates coming [...] more »
“two challenges and a serious suggestion” offered to Ulster GAA by Dr Norman Hamilton
It’s hard to predict where a Presbyterian minister will pop up next. The latest nationalist foray was conducted this afternoon by former moderator Dr Norman Hamilton who had accepted an invitation to address the Ulster GAA at their Club and Community Development Conference in Armagh City Hotel (the scene of last week’s UUP conference). Back [...] more »
RWC – Mum: ‘He proved them wrong’
Wonderful stuff from the NZ Herald: Sheryll Donald this morning said she never doubted her son would turn in a great game when he was called off the bench with 50 minutes to go. Seeing him rescue the flagging All Blacks side was one of the proudest moments of her life, she said. And as [...] more »
RWC – almost done….come on All Blacks!
Enjoy: Power’s back on in Auckland. Sticking with the Herald – A number of All Blacks are pacing around the playing surface.. Enjoy! more »
RWC: Final – Will France make a game of it?
New Zealand unchanged and supremely confident. France? “le match de toute une vie“ – Imanol Harinordoquy ain’t a bad player. Let’s face it – they’ve done it before.. I hope New Zealand stuff them and sink their ship on the way home. Any objective observations? more »
RWC: Wales v France
OK – off to the Millenium Stadium – along with 60,000 others. Let me know how we are doing. In the meantime: Jonathan’s a fan again… Enjoy! more »
RWC: Semi Final Day…Make History Wales…please!!
2 Fairly big games this weekend in Auckland. On Sunday New Zealand face Australia. Is McCaw fit? Will the all Blacks risk Cruden or play Weepu first five eighth? (Where on earth does “first five eighth” come from?) Here’s the NZ Herald - Graham Henry will be trying to stay awake…it’s a 9pm start in [...] more »
RWC: Wales goes bonkers…
Or as the Independent on Sunday puts it : Rydyn ni gyd yn Gymry nawr… There are three sheep for every human, and in winter it’s the wettest place in Britain. But today Wales, the most maligned member of the union, can hold its head up as the mightiest after becoming the only British country [...] more »
RWC – Kevin McLaughlin exclusive for Slugger.
Many thanks to the good people at Gainline.ie - which is a wonderful mix of financial spread betting and Rugby, for a world exclusive opportunity for the observations of Kevin McLaughlin on the Rugby World Cup. Here’s the press release on the launch of the blog. We asked 5 questions: 1. The wonderful win against Australia was [...] more »
RWC – Here we go…..
Ok – I hope everyone’s awake for the biggest game in Irish and Welsh rugby history! Enjoy…. more »
Here’s to a united Ireland on the morrow (though not necessarily the day after)…
There’s something deeply gratifying about the way Ireland coach Declan Kidney has melded an unexpectedly powerful sporting force from three of Ireland’s historic provinces. There’s always one missing! We may have Eddie O’Sullivan to thank for drawing the provincial successes of Munster and Leinster upwards into the Ireland squad, but tomorrow’s team performance will (win [...] more »
RWC – Wales v Ireland – views from the Press.
Guess which Newspaper front page headline is “Two nations…one mission….COME ON WALES!” It promises to be tense, tight, titanic. So when the alarm goes off tomorrow morning, don’t switch it off and roll over. Even from 12,000 miles away, your country needs you. Because, make no mistake, there’s a piece of rugby history to be [...] more »
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Books
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A Political History of the Two Irelands competition…
It’s not often we get free things to give away to our readers, but courtesy of Palgrave Macmillan we have a nice paperback copy of Brian M Walker’s excellent history of partition of the island and how identities shifted in both the north east and the south and west: as most of the territory that [...] read our review »
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Round up of Tuesday’s Political Studies Association conference
If you want to get a flavour of the proceedings at the Political Studies Association conference on its opening day, then the Storify collation below will bring you some of the images, tweets and sounds of the day. Particular highlights included: the Opening Plenary with David Blunkett, Peter Riddell and Matthew Flinders; and the late [...] read our review »
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Voices from the Grave
Coming up to the Halloween holiday, some people might be frightened of the idea of Voices from the Grave – but for others, the chance to hear an oral history of the Troubles from the mouths of two (in)famous protagonists, PUP leader and former UVF member David Ervine, and Brendan “The Dark” Hughes, is not [...] read our review »
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